SolidWorks® 2010 Bible

Chapter 30. Using Imported Geometry and Direct Editing Techniques

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding how imported geometry works

• Examining the traditional role of direct edit tools

• Benefitting from direct edit tools

• Importing and repairing Solid Geometry tutorial

• Using Flex and Freeform features in a tutorial

The direct editing set of tools in SolidWorks enables you to change a part without the knowledge of how it was originally created. Direct editing works on both native and imported geometry by simply moving faces. There are two things to consider with direct editing: First is how direct edit tools work in SolidWorks, which is the main focus of this chapter; and second is how direct edit tools compare to the tools in history-free CAD software, which is a side issue but addressed as well.

This chapter exists partially because of recent direct editing developments in the CAD world and partially in honor of the new Direct Editing tab SolidWorks added to the CommandManager in the 2010 release, which is shown in Figure 30.1.

The new tab has the following tools on it, listed from left to right from Figure 30.1:

• Move Face

• Move/Copy Bodies

• Fillet

• Chamfer

• Pattern

• Delete Solid/Surface

• Delete Face

• Split

• Combine

Figure 30.1. SolidWorks 2010 has a new Direct Editing tab on the CommandManager.

Additional direct edit tools exist in SolidWorks that should possibly be added to the Direct Edit tab:

• Flex

• Deform

• Freeform

Combining ...